Best High Calorie Dog Food For Weight Gain

This page contains affiliate links. We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post through our independently chosen links, which earn us a commission. Learn More

Dog breeds like the Greyhound are known for their leanness, but it’s important to distinguish between lean and unhealthy dog weight. Sudden weight loss isn’t always healthy, and underweight dogs may have other reasons.

Consult your veterinarian and consider feeding high-quality dog food for weight gain. Learn about underweight dog dietary needs and how to choose healthy dog food for weight gain, as well as our top 5 picks for the best dog food for weight gain.

Compare Best High Calorie Dog Food For Weight Gain

OVERALL BEST 1. Maximum Bully Chicken and Pork High Performance View on Amazon Read Review	BEST AFFORDABLE 2. Crave Grain-Free Adult Dry Food View on Chewy Read Review	BEST GRAIN FREE 3. Merrick Grain-Free Beef & Sweet Potato Recipe View on Chewy Read Review	BEST FOR SMALL BREEDS 4. Taste of the Wild Appalachian Valley Small Breed View on Chewy Read Review	BEST FOR LARGE BREEDS 5. Blue Buffalo Wilderness Large Breed Adult Recipe View on Chewy Read Review
Protein 32% Min	Protein 34% Min	Protein 38% Min	Protein 32% Min	Protein 32% Min
Fat 22% Min	Fat 17% Min	Fat 15% Min	Fat 18% Min	Fat 13% Min
Fiber 4% Max	Fiber 3.5% Max	Fiber 3.5% Max	Fiber 4.0% Max	Fiber 7.0% Max
Calories 481 kcal/cup	Calories 442 kcal/cup	Calories 442 kcal/cup	Calories 370 kcal/cup	Calories 377 kcal/cup

How Do You Choose the Best Dog Food for Weight Gain?

To ensure healthy weight gain in dogs, it is crucial to maintain a slow and steady weight gain. High protein content from animal sources like poultry, meat, and fish is essential, and dog food should be made with these ingredients.

Fat is the most important nutrient, with dogs needing at least 5% of it in their diet, with a 20% range ideal. Plant-based fats like flaxseed and canola oil can help maintain a balance of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Digestible carbohydrates, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, are also essential for energy and dietary fiber.

Probiotics can support healthy digestion and ensure the absorption of nutrients from food. For the best dog food for weight gain, follow these top five recommendations.

The Top 5 Best Dog Foods For Weight Gain

The best dog food for weight gain will have the right balance of protein and fat, both from high-quality animal sources. It should be higher in calories than the average dog food, but not so much as to make your dog gain weight in an unhealthy way.

Here are our top 5 picks for the best dog food for weight gain:

OVERALL BEST

1.

Maximum Bully Chicken and Pork High Performance

View on Amazon

Product Info

• Protein: 32% Min
• Fat: 22% Min
• Fiber: 4% Max
• Calories: 481 kcal/cup

Pros

• Very high in protein and fat (30% protein, 20% fat)
• Made with digestible carbohydrates for energy and fiber
• Protein-rich chicken meal as the main ingredient

Cons

• Some dogs are sensitive to chicken ingredients
• Very expensive compared to other brands

If you’re in the market for a super-high-protein recipe made with quality ingredients, try this Maximum Bully Chicken and Pork High Performance. It contains 32% protein and 22% fat, making it the perfect recipe to help your dog gain weight. It features protein-rich chicken meal as the primary ingredient with digestible grains like brown rice and barley, plus plenty of fat from nutritious sources such as chicken fat and menhaden fish oil.

BEST AFFORDABLE

2.

Crave Grain-Free Adult Dry Food

View on Chewy

View on Amazon

Product Info

• Protein: 34% Min
• Fat: 17% Min
• Fiber: 3.5% Max
• Calories: 442 kcal/cup

Pros

• More affordable than many high-protein brands
• Real salmon as the first ingredient
• Free form corn, wheat, soy, and artificial additives
• Rich in essential fatty acids from animal sources

Cons

• Some dogs are sensitive to chicken ingredients
• Contains several plant-based proteins

Many high-protein dog food brands are expensive but this Crave Grain-Free Adult Dry Food is an affordable option.

Made with real salmon as the first ingredient, this formula is protein-rich and full of essential fatty acids to support your dog’s healthy weight as well as healthy skin and coat. This recipe is completely free from corn, wheat, and soy as well as artificial ingredients and it is supplemented with chelated minerals and vitamins for nutritional balance.

BEST GRAIN FREE

3.

Merrick Grain-Free Beef & Sweet Potato Recipe

View on Chewy

View on Amazon

Product Info

• Protein: 38% Min
• Fat: 15% Min
• Fiber: 3.5% Max
• Calories: 442 kcal/cup

Pros

• Numerous animal-based protein sources
• Very high in protein (38%) with high fat (15%)
• Grain-free carbohydrates like sweet potatoes and peas

Cons

• Contains several plant proteins (pea protein and potato protein)
• Some dogs are sensitive to beef ingredients

If your dog has a sensitivity to grains, this Merrick Grain-Free Beef & Sweet Potato Recipe is a good option for weight gain. Loaded with 38% protein and 15% fat, not only will it encourage healthy weight gain but it will also support lean muscle mass.

This recipe features deboned beef and lamb meal as the primary proteins with grain-free carbohydrates like sweet potatoes and peas. It also contains probiotics for healthy digestion and chelated minerals.

BEST FOR SMALL BREEDS

4.

Taste of the Wild Appalachian Valley Small Breed

View on Chewy

View on Amazon

Product Info

• Protein: 32% Min
• Fat: 18% Min
• Fiber: 4.0% Max
• Calories: 370 kcal/cup

Pros

• Made with premium animal proteins
• Contains 32% protein and 18% fat
• Naturally grain-free with plenty of fiber
• Chelated minerals and probiotics

Cons

• Primary source of fat is plant-based
• Fairly expensive compared to other brands

Formulated specifically for small breeds, this Taste of the Wild Appalachian Valley Small Breed dry food is a high-protein recipe made with premium meats like venison, lamb, and duck. It is naturally grain-free, made with garbanzo beans and peas for carbohydrate energy, and plenty of healthy fats.

This recipe contains 32% protein and 18% fat, making ideal for helping your small bred dog gain weight. Plus, with beneficial supplements like chelated minerals and probiotics, you can bet that it will keep your dog healthy and happy as well.

BEST FOR LARGE BREEDS

5.

Blue Buffalo Wilderness Large Breed Adult Recipe

View on Chewy

View on Amazon

Product Info

• Protein: 32% Min
• Fat: 13% Min
• Fiber: 7.0% Max
• Calories: 377 kcal/cup

Pros

• High in protein (32%) with moderate fat content (13%)
• Quality animal proteins like chicken and chicken meal
• Formulated specifically for larger breeds
• Digestible carbohydrates like peas and tapioca starch

Cons

• Some dogs are sensitive to chicken ingredients
• Contains some plant protein (pea protein)

If you have a large-breed dog who needs to gain weight, high protein content is important but you want to avoid too much fat to encourage lean muscle gains.

This Blue Buffalo Wilderness Large Breed Recipe is the perfect choice because it contains 32% protein and 13% fat, all from high-quality ingredients. This recipe features deboned chicken and chicken meal as the primary ingredients with digestible carbohydrates like peas and tapioca starch plus healthy omega fats from menhaden fish meal.

Special Dietary Needs of Underweight Dogs

Some dogs are simply meant to be skinny; this is particularly true for active and working breeds. If you can look at your dog from the side, however, and clearly see its ribs, it could be underweight. There are a number of factors that can cause a dog to be underweight, such as malnourishment, old age, and various health problems. If your dog is underweight, you may want to take it to the vet to make sure there isn’t anything going on under the surface.

Here are some things to look for in a good dog food for weight gain:

• Calorie Density: The average dog burns about 30 calories per pound of body weight per day, so your dog may need more than that to gain weight. Look for a dog food that contains somewhere between 400 and 500 calories per cup.
• Quality Proteins: Protein helps your dog build lean muscle mass for healthy weight gain and long-term maintenance. Look for quality animal proteins and at least 30% crude protein.
• Healthy Fats: Fat provides a concentrated source of energy (calories) for your dog, so look for recipes with around 15% to 20% fat. Remember that it should come from animal sources as well, though plant oils can help ensure omega-3 fatty acid balance.
• Beneficial Supplements: No matter whether your dog is trying to gain or lose weight, balanced nutrition is essential. Fresh fruits and veggies provide natural sources for key vitamins and minerals; chelated minerals and probiotics are beneficial as well.

Keeping all of these things in mind, you’re now ready to learn how to choose the best dog food for weight gain.

How Much Should You Feed Your Dog to Gain Weight?

Choosing the first dog food for weight gain is important, but you also need to know how much to feed your dog.

You shouldn’t just feed your dog as much as it will eat because that could lead to excess growth, which might put it at risk for joint issues or other health problems. Controlled growth is best.

Try feeding your dog small meals more often to give it a steady stream of energy throughout the day to help it grow.

When deciding how much to feed your dog at each meal, refer to the feeding recommendations on the package according to your dog’s age. Instead of using its current body weight, however, use your dog’s ideal body weight to determine how much to feed it per day.

What about Food Allergies and sensitivities?

Dog food allergies and sensitivities are more common than you may realize, and, theoretically, a dog can develop an allergy to any food ingredient.

If your dog suffers from food allergies, you may need to find a product made with a novel source of protein and carbohydrates. Novel ingredients are simply ones your dog hasn’t had before—something like duck, venison, or salmon—instead of common proteins like chicken or beef.

Digestible carbohydrates like whole grains or grain-free options like sweet potatoes or peas are also available. Generally speaking, the fewer ingredients in your dog’s food, the less likely it is that it will have a bad reaction, so a limited ingredient diet (LID) could be a good choice as well.

Final Thoughts

In addition to feeding your dog high-quality dog food for weight gain, you should also make sure it gets plenty of exercise. While this may sound counterintuitive, exercise helps your dog build muscle and bulk. To get started shopping for dog food, try one of the top 5 best dog foods for weight gain that we have reviewed above.